Sidecar Racing

[Drew]

Online calculator says our rear spring is about 457 pounds/inch

Convert that to proper measurements will ya.

[husaberg]

Convert that to proper measurements will ya.

A kilo is 2.205 pounds
an inch is 25.4 mm (All out of my head)

He goes and gets a calculator
457/ 2.205=207.25kg then divide by 25.4 =8.16kg/mm

[Bert]

It is a very cool feeling to send someone out on your bike, and to see them improve. As rewarding as riding yourself, but different so the racing buzz isn't quite completely satisfied.

You ride toy bikes though also though, no? So ya might be all good.

Yes Drew, I love my toy bikes these days.
One day I might dust off the TZ and scare myself shitless as well.

Skinky has been out a few times (almost a decade ago now), we had lots of fun.
But life got all a bit serious and she got pushed to the back of the shed.

[Kickaha]

Convert that to proper measurements will ya.

I would of if the Merkins used real measurements, have to check something cause I might have cocked it up anyway

I'm now thinking compressed length would be when it becomes coil bound not how much suspension travel it's using?

edit: found another site which works it out at and 8.8 rear and the front at a 5.4

[Drew]

I would of if the Merkins used real measurements, have to check something cause I might have cocked it up anyway

I'm now thinking compressed length would be when it becomes coil bound not how much suspension travel it's using?

edit: found another site which works it out at and 8.8 rear and the front at a 5.4

Compressed length is just what it measures when fitted I think.

Right, so the spring is what we just call a 9. An 8 or 8.5 is worth a try.

Get it out and measure the uncompressed length, and the inside diameter of the spring top and bottom. With that info a suspension guy can check to see what he has lying around. In fact, I might have something in the shed.

[Shaun Harris]

Compressed length is just what it measures when fitted I think.

Right, so the spring is what we just call a 9. An 8 or 8.5 is worth a try.

Get it out and measure the uncompressed length, and the inside diameter of the spring top and bottom. With that info a suspension guy can check to see what he has lying around. In fact, I might have something in the shed.

Correct, compressed length is " SET" length and free length is just that. I would send it direct to CKT to have Robert throw in his spring rate checker load machine to make sure it is what you think it is! Often springs rate change radically due to be made from low quality material in the first place

[husaberg]

Correct, compressed length is " SET" length and free length is just that. I would send it direct to CKT to have Robert throw in his spring rate checker load machine to make sure it is what you think it is! Often springs rate change radically due to be made from low quality material in the first place

I think what Shaun means to say is get a bathroom scale and a drill press and measure it yourself

[nodrog:Me]

I think what Shaun means to say is get a bathroom scale and a drill press and measure it yourself

What part do you drill the hole in?

[husaberg]

What part do you drill the hole in?

..............

[Kickaha]

Get it out and measure the uncompressed length, and the inside diameter of the spring top and bottom.

150mm long and 58mm ID, Daves got a box of them at his place, just need a to measure up to see what they are

Wound all the preload out and will check sag when we get it back on the ground

[Drew]

150mm long and 58mm ID, Daves got a box of them at his place, just need a to measure up to see what they are

Would all the preload out and will check sag when we get it back on the ground

Wonder if it has any static sag without rider and passenger. Ours doesn't.

[Kickaha]

Wonder if it has any static sag without rider and passenger. Ours doesn't.

It had none, I don't think I've seen a sidecar yet which has and I haven't once seen it mentioned on other sites discussing suspension setup

[Shaun Harris]

I think what Shaun means to say is get a bathroom scale and a drill press and measure it yourself

Haha I said CKT NOT Dukic

One of the MOST important things re your spring rates and suspension set up is Tyre Opperating temp! You all need to find out what is the best Hot temp for them to be operating at ( So you need to but a tyre temp testing gauge simillar to what Robert uses and ADAM UNSWORTH also ( Adam has my old one) and then adjust spring rates and pre loads and tyre pressure to get the tyres working as they are designed to work

[Shaun Harris]

[QUOTE=Kickaha;1130777633]It had none, I don't think I've seen a sidecar yet which has and I haven't once seen it mentioned on other sites discussing suspension setup

Top out messurement V Static Sag is seriously only rellavent to 2 wheel thingies and the way the rider wants the bike to behave on the brakes.

[scrivy]

Wtf? When did we start getting anal about suspension? Bob n me never changed ours. Beat quite a few nice rigs in our time too.... even some that measured their suspension by the 0.5mm....

I think we have the hardest suspension out there, and about 15mm of travel max.
But who used to get into the first corner first?

Sent from my beligerent mobile whilst away from home.....